An array stores multiple values in one single variable:

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");

What is an Array?

An array is a special variable that can hold many values under a single name, and you can access the values by referring to an index number or name.

PHP Array Types

In PHP, there are three types of arrays:

• Indexed arrays - Arrays with a numeric index
• Associative arrays - Arrays with named keys
• Multidimensional arrays - Arrays containing one or more arrays

Working With Arrays

In this tutorial you will learn how to work with arrays, including:

• Create Arrays
• Access Arrays
• Update Arrays
• Add Array Items
• Remove Array Items
• Sort Arrays

Array Items

Array items can be of any data type.

The most common are strings and numbers (int, float), but array items can also be objects, functions or even arrays.

You can have different data types in the same array.

$myArr = array("Volvo", 15, ["apples", "bananas"], myFunction);

Array Functions

The real strength of PHP arrays are the built-in array functions, like the count() function for counting array items:

$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
echo count($cars);

For a complete reference of all array functions, go to our complete PHP Array Reference.

PHP Exercises

$fruits = array("Apple", "Banana", "Orange");
echo ;